Sharla Hales, Douglas County Commissioner
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DOUGLAS COUNTY?
Douglas County Commissioner Sharla Hales joined the Minden Rotary Club this week for an informative Douglas County update. She was introduced as not only a Commissioner, but also a part-time school attorney for Churchill County, a past DCSD Trustee (2001-2012) and a “fantastic organist”.
MULLER PARKWAY UPDATE
The county has constructed two sections, with three remaining to be completed: one by the county and two by developers. The current issue revolves around Park Ranch’s insistence that the county install drainage to get out of the flood basin - at a cost of $67 million. Mr. Park has said he will settle for “$15 million and a commercial gravel pit - neither related to drainage.
LANDS BILL
The request to acquire Federal Lands has been ongoing for over a decade. One objective is to help solve the stormwater management issue with work in the eastern lands. Another is to acquire land requested by the Tribe. Other portions are for recreation, including land in a canyon going up Kingsbury Grade that could be used for recreation and possibly even an amphitheater. The holdup has been in Senator Cortez-Mastro’s office for the past two years but her staff is moving forward rapidly now with a bill introduction expected within six weeks.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The Stormwater Utility has been approved and $1.1 million annually will be moved from stormwater back to road maintenance. Utility fees will be equitable - those houses built in flood areas will pay more. The current estimate is that each parcel will pay about $8 per month. One-fourth of the money will go into conservation
easements to help preserve agricultural land. Other possible projects include drainage ponds.
CELL TOWERS
Verizon asked for two county-approved 5G towers. One on Stephanie Lane at the Fire Station was approved because they already had an existing tower. The other one - at County Road by a preschool - was not approved. Verizon did ask DCSD if they could build a tower on top of the lights in the football field but the school district denied the request. The county has offered a location by the Sheriff’s building, but Verizon has indicated that the location will not work for them.
CARSON VALLEY CINEMA / ARTS CENTER
The County receives room tax funds which have a restricted use. One allowable use is recreation. During Covid, these funds grew with fewer expenses to offset them. In the meantime, a performing arts center has been on the wish list of many (theatre group, dance studios, community orchestra and the schools to name a few). The owner of the CV Cinemas approached the county about a purchase which was finalized six months ago. The $8 million estimated total cost was far below a new build (estimated at $16 million) or a remodel of the Copeland Gallery (estimated at $12 million). Since the cinema is still operating, the profits now go to the building remodel ($25,000 so far). The county plans for non-profits and locals to put money into the new center. The preliminary plan is to merge four of the theatres to create an auditorium with about 350 seats and leave 2 or 3 small theatres for smaller performances or meetings.
LAKE TAHOE BEACH PARKING AND TRASH
National news was made by the thousands of pounds of trash left over from the 4th of July celebration at the lake in 2023. In response, the County and the US Forest Service fenced off the walkway from the Whittel High parking lot and charged for parking. No alcohol is allowed to be brought in and the Forest Service has a small controlled concession stand to sell alcohol. The parking lot is manned by the Whittell High School Boosters with proceeds going equally to the Boosters, DCSD, and the County. Parking is free for Douglas County residents.
KEEPING DOUGLAS COUNTY RURAL
Sharla noted that “it feels like there is a lot of building but in reality the numbers haven’t increased much.” The current building was approved by prior commissioners. Many homes were approved before the Growth Management Plan was implemented, and developers have the right to build them outside the Growth
Management Ordinance, which allows for only 2% annual growth. When asked about affordable housing, Sharla responded that the “County can’t solve it but can make a dent,” with a housing study to determine the type of housing needed. This should show that less big mansions and more affordable housing is needed.
For more information, contact Sharla Hales at shales@douglasnv.us. Minden Rotary meets Thursdays at the COD Casino Garage in downtown Minden from 11:30am-1pm. Come join us for fellowship, great speakers and local projects focused on at-risk youth.
